mikor

When

Level 1

Use mikor to ask 'when' in Hungarian. It is a fixed word that does not change based on vowel harmony.

How It Works

1. Basic Usage
Mikor is the general way to ask about time. While it can be used for clock time, Hungarians often prefer hánykor (at what hour) for specific times. Mikor is more common for days, months, years, or general events.

2. Fixed Form
Unlike many Hungarian words, mikor is invariant. Even though it contains the -kor suffix, it never changes its vowels to match other words. It is always mikor.

3. Word Order and Prefixes
Because mikor is a question word, it triggers the focus rule. If you use a verb with a prefix (like elindul - to depart), the prefix must be separated and placed after the verb:
Mikor indulsz el? (When do you leave?)

4. Case Suffixes and Related Words
You can add direction or duration suffixes to mikor, or use related time words:

  • Mikortól? (From when?) - uses -tól/-től
  • Mikorra? (By when? / For what time?) - uses -ra/-re
  • Meddig? (Until when?) - This is the standard way to ask 'until when', using the -ig suffix logic.

You will also encounter related words like valamikor (sometime), bármikor (anytime), or semmikor (never).

Examples (5)

  1. Mikor jössz haza?

    When are you coming home?

    Word by Word: When come-you home?

    A simple question using the indefinite conjugation.

  2. Mikor van a születésnapod?

    When is your birthday?

    Word by Word: When is the birthday-your?

    Uses the van (is) and a possessive suffix.

  3. Mikor indulsz el a boltba?

    When are you leaving for the store?

    Word by Word: When start-you away the store-into?

    Notice how the prefix el- moves after the verb because mikor is in the focus position.

  4. Mikorra kell kész lennem?

    By when do I need to be ready?

    Word by Word: By-when must ready be-to-me?

    Uses the -ra suffix to mean 'by when' and the inflected infinitive.

  5. Mikortól vagy szabadságon?

    From when are you on holiday?

    Word by Word: From-when are-you holiday-on?

    Uses the -tól suffix to ask about the starting point.

Common Mistakes

  • Using 'mikor' instead of 'amikor' in a statement.

    Different MeaningSzóltam neki, mikor megérkeztem.
    Szóltam neki, amikor megérkeztem.

    In careful writing, mikor is kept for questions. For relative clauses (e.g., 'I told him when I arrived'), the usual choice is amikor. Mikor in this role is common in speech and older writing.

  • Keeping the verbal prefix attached to the verb.

    Mikor elindulsz?
    Mikor indulsz el?

    Question words like mikor occupy the focus position, which forces verbal-prefix separation.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

mikorLevel 1When

Learn This First

To use 'mikor' (when) effectively, a learner should already be familiar with the basic mechanics of Hungarian question words and how they influence sentence structure, particularly their placement relative to the verb.

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mikor